Habitat
Adults: terrestrial
Immatures: terrestrial

Feeding Habits
Adults: non-feeding
Immatures: phytophagous

North American
Species: 46

Lepidoptera Lymantriidae
Tussock moths

Special Characteristics: These moths are medium sized and hairy. They are usually pale or dull coloured. The adults have a short proboscis or none at all. The males have a small body with broad wings and the females have a heavy body and are sometimes wingless. The females that do have wings are poor fliers. The larvae are covered with brightly colored hairs, and have dorsal glands in the middle of each of the 6th and 7th segments.

Comments: The larvae feed on the foliage of trees and shrubs, but the adults do not feed. Some of the caterpillars in this family have irritating hairs and can cause rashes if they contact skin. The tussock moths are mostly nocturnal but males of some species are active during the day.

Species:
Lymantria dispar (Linnaeus)

Common Name:
Gypsy moth

Feeding Habits: The larvae feed on the foliage of oak and many other trees and shrubs.

Distribution:
Quebec, New Brunswick and Ontario.

Comments:
The caterpillars are bluish gray with red and blue tufted spots on the back. This species was introduced from Europe into Massachusetts in 1869 for production of silk, but the moths escaped and since then have spread into Canada. Gypsy moths are one of the most important insect pests in North America. The sexes are of different colours; the females are white with black markings and the males are gray or pale yellowish brown. The females cannot fly.